Improvement in cartridges



UNITED STATESY PATENT OFFICE..

LINCOLN A. MERRIAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IM PROVEM ENT IN CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,107. dated September 2, 1879; l application tiled v January 2, 1879.

powder-chamber into two or more compartments by Vthe longitudinal walls L and the shot M, so arranged that the re from one compartment explodes the other or others successively opened by the shot moving forward in the bore of the gun, as will be seen by reference to the ligure in the accompanying drawing. These delays -inexploding the powder lessen the recoil and strain of the piece by giving more space tothe gases set free,give a gaseous cushion between the exploding charges and the metal of the gun, and at the same time concentrate the full energy of the 'explosion upon the shot. If the cartridge be central-tire the compartment A, as shown in the drawing making a part hereof, will first explode.I and, acting upon thestem y of theV shot M, closely tting its opening, will drive the shot forward until y passes out of the compartment and the fire communicates with the powder in the compartment B. If, on the other hand, the cartrdgebe rim-fire the' powder in B first explodes, and, acting upon the shoulders of the rear of the shot M, withdraws the stem y from the compartment A, so that the fire explodes that portion ofthe charge.

What I claim is- A cartridge with the powder-chamber divided into separate compartments by the longitudinal walls L and the shot M, constructed and arranged in the manner and for the uses set forth.

LINCOLN A. MERELAM.

Witnesses A B. ZEVELY,

W. E. WILLIAMS. 

